What Can Go In Compost – The Ultimate Gardener’S Checklist For Rich

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Ever stood by your kitchen bin, potato peel in hand, and wondered, “Can this go in the compost?” You’re not alone! It’s one of the most common questions we hear from fellow gardeners.

The good news is, creating that beautiful, crumbly “black gold” for your garden is far simpler than you think. It’s a bit like baking a cake—get the right ingredients in the right balance, and you’re set for success.

I promise this guide will demystify exactly what can go in compost, transforming you from a hesitant beginner into a confident composting pro. We’ll walk through the essential “greens” and “browns,” uncover some surprising compost-friendly items, and clearly list the absolute no-gos.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into the wonderful world of turning everyday scraps into garden treasure. Your plants will thank you for it!

The Heart of Composting: Understanding “Greens” and “Browns”

Before we start listing items, let’s cover the single most important concept in composting. Think of your compost pile as a living ecosystem that needs a balanced diet. This diet consists of two main categories: Greens and Browns.

Greens (Nitrogen-Rich): These are the wet, fresh materials. They provide nitrogen, which is crucial for the microorganisms that heat up your pile and break everything down quickly. Think of them as the “accelerator.”

Browns (Carbon-Rich): These are the dry, woody materials. They provide carbon, which is the food source for those same microorganisms. They also add bulk and create air pockets, preventing your pile from becoming a slimy, smelly mess. Think of them as the “structure.”

Getting this balance right is one of the most important what can go in compost best practices. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a ratio of roughly 2 to 3 parts Browns to 1 part Greens by volume. Don’t stress about measuring perfectly—it’s more of an art than a science!

Your “Green” Light List: Nitrogen-Rich Materials to Add

These are the fresh, vibrant ingredients that kickstart the composting process. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the best greens to add to your pile.

From Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is a goldmine for green materials. Keep a small caddy on your counter to collect these scraps throughout the day.

  • Fruit and Vegetable Scraps: Apple cores, banana peels, carrot tops, lettuce leaves, potato peels—basically any raw fruit or veggie waste is perfect.
  • Coffee Grounds and Filters: Coffee grounds are incredibly rich in nitrogen. You can toss the paper filter in, too!
  • Tea Leaves and Bags: Just like coffee, loose tea leaves are fantastic. If using tea bags, make sure they aren’t made of plastic (staples should be removed if possible).
  • Eggshells: An excellent source of calcium for your future soil. Pro Tip: Crush them up before adding them to help them break down much faster.

From Your Garden and Yard

Your garden provides a constant supply of fresh green matter, making for a truly sustainable and eco-friendly what can go in compost system.

  • Grass Clippings: Freshly cut grass is a powerful nitrogen source. However, be careful not to add thick layers, as it can compact and get slimy. Mix it well with browns.
  • Green Leaves and Plant Cuttings: Prunings from non-woody plants, annual weeds that haven’t gone to seed, and spent flowers all work beautifully.
  • Old Flowers: Once your bouquets have faded, give them a second life in the compost pile.

Your “Brown” Gold List: Carbon-Rich Materials to Include

Browns are the backbone of your compost pile, providing essential carbon and structure. You can often stockpile these materials to have them on hand when you add fresh greens.

From Your Yard

Autumn is a fantastic time to gather a large supply of brown materials that will last you for months.

  • Dried Leaves: The absolute classic brown material. They are abundant and break down wonderfully. If you can, shred them with a lawnmower first for faster results.
  • Small Twigs and Wood Chips: These add excellent structure and aeration. They take longer to break down, which is perfectly fine—they create great texture in the finished compost.
  • Straw or Hay: If you have access to it, straw is a fantastic, airy brown material.
  • Pine Needles: These are also a great carbon source. They are slightly acidic, but in a mixed compost pile, their effect on the final pH is negligible.

From Your House

Don’t forget to look inside for some surprising sources of carbon for your compost pile!

  • Cardboard and Paper: Shredded newspaper (avoid glossy ads), paper towel tubes, egg cartons, and non-glossy cardboard are fantastic. They soak up excess moisture and provide lots of carbon. Pro Tip: Tear them into small pieces to speed up decomposition.
  • Dryer Lint and Pet Hair: Believe it or not, the fluff from your dryer (from natural fibers like cotton) and hair from your pet’s brush are compostable!
  • Wood Ash: A small amount of ash from your fireplace (only from untreated wood) can be added. It contains potassium, but use it sparingly as it’s alkaline and can raise the pH of your pile.

The “Compost with Caution” List

Some items aren’t a strict “no,” but they require a little more thought. Knowing how to what can go in compost correctly means understanding the nuances.

  • Onions and Citrus Peels: In large quantities, the strong acidic oils in these can be harmful to worms and beneficial microorganisms. It’s fine to add them, but do so in moderation and chop them up.
  • Cooked Foods (Rice, Pasta, Bread): Small amounts can be okay if buried deep within a hot compost pile. However, they are very attractive to unwanted pests like rodents, so many gardeners choose to avoid them entirely.
  • Dairy Products and Bread: Like cooked foods, these can attract pests and cause odor problems. It’s generally best to leave them out, especially if you have an open compost pile.

The Absolute “No-Go” Zone: What Can’t Go in Your Compost Bin

This is just as important as knowing what to add. Avoiding these items will prevent most common problems with what can go in compost, like foul odors, pests, and harmful pathogens.

  • Meat, Fish, and Bones: These will rot, create horrible smells, and are a magnet for rodents, raccoons, and other pests.
  • Oils, Fats, and Grease: These materials don’t break down easily, can create oily, water-repellent pockets in your compost, and will attract pests.
  • Pet Waste (Dog and Cat): The feces from carnivorous or omnivorous animals can contain harmful pathogens and parasites that can survive the composting process and contaminate your garden.
  • Diseased or Pest-Infested Plants: You risk spreading diseases like blight or fungal spores back into your garden. It’s not worth the risk!
  • Invasive Weeds (like Bindweed or Quackgrass): These tenacious plants can survive the composting process and happily resprout wherever you spread your finished compost.
  • Treated or Pressured Wood: Sawdust or chips from treated wood contain toxic chemicals that you do not want in your garden soil.
  • Glossy or Coated Paper: Magazines, catalogs, and coated cardboard contain plastics and inks that won’t break down and can add unwanted chemicals.
  • Coal or Charcoal Ash: Unlike wood ash, these contain sulfur and other materials harmful to plants.

The Amazing Benefits of What Can Go in Compost for Your Garden

Understanding what can go into your compost is the first step. The reward is a wealth of benefits for your garden, making this a cornerstone of any sustainable what can go in compost effort.

  • Enriches Soil: Compost is packed with essential nutrients and beneficial microbes that create a thriving soil ecosystem.
  • Improves Soil Structure: It helps bind sandy soil together to retain water and breaks up heavy clay soil to improve drainage and aeration.
  • Reduces Waste: Composting can divert up to 30% of your household waste from landfills, a huge win for the environment.
  • Saves Money: You’ll significantly reduce your need to buy expensive fertilizers, potting mixes, and soil conditioners. It’s nature’s own recycling program!

Frequently Asked Questions About What Can Go in Compost

Even with a good guide, questions pop up! Here are answers to some of the most common ones we get at Greeny Gardener.

My compost pile smells bad. What did I do wrong?

A foul smell, especially like ammonia or rotten eggs, is almost always a sign of too much green (nitrogen) material and not enough air or browns. The pile has gone “anaerobic.” The fix is simple: turn the pile thoroughly with a garden fork and mix in a generous amount of dry, brown materials like shredded leaves, cardboard, or straw.

How do I know when my compost is ready to use?

Finished compost is a beautiful thing! It will be dark brown or black, have a crumbly texture, and smell rich and earthy like a forest floor. You shouldn’t be able to recognize any of the original ingredients you put in (except for maybe a few tough twigs).

Can I really compost paper with ink on it, like newspaper?

Yes, for the most part. Most newspapers today use soy-based inks, which are perfectly safe to compost. The main thing to avoid is glossy, coated paper from magazines or flyers, as the coatings often contain plastic.

Is it okay to add weeds to my compost?

This depends on the weed and your compost pile. If you have a “hot” compost pile that reaches high temperatures (130-160°F / 55-70°C), it will kill most weed seeds. If you have a slower, “cold” pile, it’s best to avoid adding weeds that have gone to seed or pernicious weeds with tough root systems, as they might survive and spread.

Your Journey to Black Gold Starts Now

There you have it—your complete what can go in compost guide! It all comes down to that simple, beautiful balance of greens and browns. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best for you.

Composting isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s about actively participating in nature’s cycle of decay and rebirth. It’s about creating life-giving food for the soil that will, in turn, grow healthier, more vibrant plants.

So grab a small bin for your kitchen counter and start collecting those scraps. Your garden—and the planet—will be deeply grateful. Happy composting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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